MIND diet linked to slowing brain aging by 2.5 years

Research published in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry suggests that adherence to the MIND diet may slow brain aging by approximately 2.5 years. The study, which analyzed data from 1,647 middle-aged and older adults from the Framingham Heart Study Offspring cohort, found that the diet is associated with a 20% reduction in age-related grey matter loss.

The MIND diet (Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay) combines elements of the Mediterranean diet with the DASH eating plan designed to manage blood pressure. Key components include green leafy vegetables, berries, nuts, whole grains, fish, beans, olive oil, and poultry, with moderate wine consumption. It advises limiting red meat, butter, cheese, sweets, and fried fast foods.

Beyond preserving grey matter, the research indicated that the diet is linked to less enlargement of the brain's ventricles, which are fluid-filled spaces that typically expand as brain tissue shrinks. These structural changes are significant in the context of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.